Back-alley rats beyond a joke, says resident
SuppliedA resident has complained about a "disgusting" rat problem in her street.
The 27-year-old, who wanted to be kept anonymous, has lived in the Laycock Street and Orwell Street area in Middlesbrough nearly all her life, but said it was the worst it had been.
She lives in a property let by housing association North Star and said she had reported the problem "numerous times".
North Star said it took reports "very seriously", adding its priority was to help tenants feel "safe and reassured" in their homes. Middlesbrough Council warned that unsecured waste was contributing to rodent problems.
The resident said: "These streets have always been quite rough, but this is just beyond a joke."
She said there were droppings everywhere in the back alley between the streets and a noticeable stench of rat urine.
"You shouldn't have to live in an area where you're paranoid a rat is going to pop out on you or something, it's horrible," she added.
SuppliedNew communal bins were meant to keep the rats out, she said, but were failing to do so as they did not have the same draining holes as the old ones, meaning the rats got stuck.
She also said bin lids were being left open and local residents needed to take some accountability to control the problem.
A Middlesbrough Council spokesman said: "Any unsecured waste left outside properties or in alleyways is a big contributory factor to issues with rodents.
"We urge members of the public and businesses to play their part in looking after their neighbourhood by making sure waste is secure and disposed of correctly."
Carole Richardson, executive director of customers at North Star, said: "When a concern is raised, we act quickly and work closely with the local council to make sure it is properly investigated and dealt with.
"We provide a free pest control service, delivered by Middlesbrough Council, and promptly carry out any follow-on work they recommend after their inspection.
"Where appropriate, we will arrange inspections, put preventative measures in place where we can, and provide support to any tenants affected."
But the resident said when it came to people who owned their properties, "the council won't help and people haven't got the money to do it themselves".
Last year, the council increased its pest control team from one to four, and the Local Democracy Reporting Service understands that in the proposed budget for 2026/27 the council has allocated more than £150,000 to a free pest control service.
